Professional Arena: ENGINEER-ELECTRONICS-MANUFACTURER-FABRICATOR

June --
1099 Question: Became Indie this year in April, was a W2er Jan and Feb. / Running the business on a cash basis.
One of my clients was paying me by direct deposit.... until December of this year. Now the check is in the mail ...... What happens if I don't get [...]

June --
lost my self-employed business back in 2009 and just started up again in October 2011, can I deduct the entire year of 2011 for my auto insurance, cell phone, internet etc.
cesar
draftsman
fairfield, ca
Cesar --
If you were actively seeking self-employment for those two years [...]

Hi June,
Structural drafter for 20 + years , I have been self-employed for the last 6 years up till June 2009 when I lost my self-employment business and had to seek a part-time as a temp employee.
I lost that job in August, now I am unemployed.
My question is, will [...]

June --
I am a software engineering consultant working as a W-2 hourly employee of a consulting company. I am on assignment at an insurance company. I report my hours to the consulting company, they bill the client, and give me a paycheck. I make currently make $54/hour. I receive medical benefits and 401(k) [...]

This question is such a mishmash that I am going to embed my answers and also give you a taste of indie-style forensic accounting. This kind of email from an indie is not unique. Most times I disregard and don't post them. However, I hope that reading this will help you see a better way [...]

June -
I am a nuclear engineer from Knoxville, Tennessee. I just started December 3, 2007. I would like to start off without calling attention to the IRS.
I assume I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes but am not sure how to estimate them.
When was the last update of your [...]

June --
I have 14 yrs as a contract electrical engineer (electronic hardware designs).
You touched upon this topic at June's Blog but you didn't get into the detail I'm curious about. I am self employed and live in CT. For the first time, I might take a client company in the neighboring [...]

Maybe it's because gas prices are rising that I received a lot of questions about auto expense. I hope my responses here and elsewhere on my blog to the many questions about auto expense will help all you indies who use your car for business.
Lots of questions ...
June,
I am considering [...]

Joe an electrical designer from Ridley Park, PA asked:
When I become a sub-contractor how many exemptions can I claim on my W-2. I was told 4 was a good number since I will receive more take home pay and then make mileage, etc. deductions from my income tax return.
Well, Joe, sub-contractors -- [...]

June,
My business is manufacturing of pneumatic cylinders since 2005.
If I had a refund for the tax year of 2005 and I owe for the tax year 2006, why do I have to pay an estimated tax now for tax year 2007?
Rosann
Rosann,
Refund [...]

June --
I just started to work for my dad. He is a self-employed as a steel fabricator. I was wondering what is the proper form needed for me to be an employee that files his own taxes. And later on down the line when I am made a partner, would it be easier [...]

I just purchased your book Self Employed Tax Solutions, and let me start by saying this is the first time I have written an email to an author. I’m only in the third chapter and am so happy about the …Dean Iodice

I recently bought your book, and wanted to tell you what you already know – it’s terrific. So many great common-sense features. In addition to my “indie” business, I’ve also been a tax preparer for an…James M. Beidler

I purchased a couple of books re: self employment taxes. I like yours (Self-employed Tax Solutions) because it’s written in plain language. The JK Lasser book (Small Business Taxes) appears to be writ…Linda Gordon

I read Self-employed Tax Solutions from cover to cover in about 3 days (I finished it today), and found it engaging and well written. That’s high praise for a book on taxes. I’ve read other tax books ……Paul Plamondon